KRISTOFER SANZ has matured as a vibrant and talented conductor whose energy and fervor for music have allowed him to achieve a passionate, mature and musical sound with any ensemble he has conducted. Mr. Sanz recently has been praised for his modern and adventurous interpretations, as well as his contemporary and interactive concert presentations. He is the Music Director and Philharmonic conductor for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras program that rehearses and performs at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. Under Mr. Sanz’s baton the Philharmonic is quickly becoming known for their highly musical, moving, and nuanced interpretations of a wide range of works from all genres—including orchestral works, dance, and opera. In May 2014 he performed the US premiere of Ilan Eshkeri’s Stardust Suite. In March 2016 he conducted the Philharmonic in his own arrangement of The Ring of the Nibelung by Wagner. Teaming up with narrator, Greg Jukes, the Philharmonic presented a 45-minute orchestral journey—with narration—that encompassed themes from Wagner’s Ring Cycle. This special arrangement was conceived to honor MCYO’s seventieth birthday celebration. In March 2017, Kristofer presented the DC premier of Tolga Kashif's lush and decadent Queen Symphony, an orchestral homage to Freddie Mercury and QUEEN for large orchestra and choir.

Mr. Sanz is a founding member and Music Director / Conductor for Young Artists of America (YAA) at Strathmore, a non-profit organization founded to provide aspiring and talented young artists with exceptional opportunities to perform with—and be mentored by—professional artists and educators in fully orchestrated performances. In March 2017, Kristofer worked with Academy Award winning lyricist Tim Rice and Broadway star Adam Pascale to present a world premier concert "The Circle of Life:" The Songs of Tim Rice. In March 2016 he worked with Broadway composer, Stephen Schwartz, and YAA to present his orchestrated version of Children of Eden at Strathmore. In March 2014 Mr. Sanz worked side by side with three-time Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, to present his fully orchestrated song cycle Songs for a New World. YAA is an Affiliate of Strathmore, and resides at The Music Center at Strathmore.

Mr. Sanz has had the honor of training with world-renowned conducting pedagogue Kenneth Kiesler as well as Leonid Korchmar, professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of music and conductor of Mariinski Theatre.

Music Director

Young Artists of America at Strathmore, Inc. is an organization that was founded to provide aspiring and talented young musicians with exceptional opportunities to study, rehearse and perform with and be mentored by professional artists and educators in fully orchestrated performances.

Music Director, Philharmonic Conductor

The mission of the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore is to nurture, develop and advance young talented musicians in a quality orchestral program.

Media

Tolga Kashif's Queen Symphony, (excerpts)

Philharmonic, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras

Richard Wagner/arr. Sanz,

The Ring of the Nibelung, an Orchestral Journey.

Philharmonic, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras

Dimitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, excerpt

MCYO in concert, The Music Center at Strathmore

Leos Janacek, Suite from "The Cunning Little Vixen"

MCYO Philharmonic in concert at the Music Center at Strathmore

Arturo Marquez, Leyenda de Miliano, excerpt

MCYO in concert, The Music Center at Strathmore

Charles Gounod, "Romeo et Juliette" Overture

MCYO Philharmonic in concert, The Music Center at Strathmore

Charles Gounod, "Va! Je ta'i pardonne!" Romeo et Juliette

MCYO Philharmonic

Music Center at Strathmore

Johann Strauss II, Die Fledermaus Overture

MCYO Philharmonic in concert at the Music Center at Strathmore

Pietro Mascagni, "Intermezzo" from L'Amico Fritz

MCYO Philharmonic, in Concert at the Music Center at Strathmore

Ilan Eshkeri, Stardust Suite, Movement IV

MCYO Philharmonic in concert at the Music Center at Strathmore

-conceived by Kristofer Sanz and Greg Jukes

West Side Story/Romeo et Juliette in Concert

Young Artists of America at Strathmore with Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras.

Concert opera presentation

Miss Saigon/Madama Butterfly in Concert

Young Artists of America at Strathmore with Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras.

Concert opera presentation

Oscar Hammerstein II, Show Boat in Concert, (excerpts)

Young Artists of America at Strathmore, Youth Orchestra and vocalists

Images

Acclaim

"Kristofer permeates a sense of reverence and integrity for music, for art, and for creating moments that are really appreciated by me as a composer"

- Jim Papoulis, composer, Boosey and Hawkes

"Kristofer has refined sensibilities and consistently lets the music speak first and foremost. He is also able to show his ideas to an orchestra with ease, is comfortable with music of all genres, and is an inspiration to all who work with him."

-Jonathan Carney, Concertmaster Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

“Kristofer rehearsed and conducted with extraordinary sensitivity and considerable muscle. I was constantly impressed with the quality of sound he got from the orchestra and the rhythmic vitality with which his musicians played.”